Smearing birthday cakes banned in public spaces in Gujarat

Public places in Gujarat could include parks and also BRTS (Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System) corridors.

Jagyaseni Biswas

Picture for representation (Image: Flickr)

An order issued by the Surat Police earlier this week was enough to dampen the spirit of revellers. The order issued on May 13 banned smearing cake, sticking adhesive tapes, and spraying foam and other chemicals in public places. All of these are activities typically associated with birthday celebrations of school/college-goers.

Public places in Gujarat could include parks and also BRTS (Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System) corridors.

The order gained public attention after a lawyer, Apar Gupta, shared it on his Twitter handle. The order issued in Gujarati emphasises that any person found violating this order in public spaces would be arrested under Section 144 of the CrPC.

The Surat Police has now banned smearing of cakes in public under Section 144 of the CRPC.

This comes after the use of the same provision to ban PUBG game and the arrest of young college going students.

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The Twitter user also pointed out that this section of the CrPC was also employed to arrest youth caught playing popular smartphone game PUBG in public.

The order mentions that the reason the ban was introduced was mainly to stop people from damaging public property. It also expressed concerns over individuals getting hurt during such “violent” birthday celebrations.

To summarize, it's an order against public nuisance which can harm those involved. Detailed summary in pic.

Cake smearing is a tiny part. Bulk is against public celebration and usage of chemicals, tape & foam directly applied to the face. pic.twitter.com/sKOe1C38Nu

According to a Times of India report, the order was not just a precautionary measure to prevent untoward incidents from taking place. Surat Police Commissioner Satish Sharma said that police had, in fact, received complaints of such incidents. However, no criminal case has been registered as the victims never came forward.

“On Dumas Road and some bridges, such incidents were reported. Considering this, the order has been issued,” he said.

The order was met with public outrage, although, the main focus of the order is on avoiding public nuisance especially when there are chances of harmful substances also being applied to a person forcefully.